NZ-born Robert Whittaker is ready to become Australia's first UFC champion, telling president Dana White: "Give me a shot at the middleweight title ... I deserve it".
Already considered the No 1 fighter Down Under, Whittaker went and rocked the UFC, with a stunning second round TKO of Brazilian superstar Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in Kansas City.
With the win taking his undefeated run to seven straight fights, the Sydneysider now wants a showdown with English champ Michael Bisping.
"Bisping owes me a fight too," Whittaker told The Daily Telegraph, referring to a bout the pair were supposed to have two years ago, before the Brit became champion.
"Right now, he's doing his own thing and that's cool, but he owes me. I want a shot at that middleweight title and I think I deserve it.
"This win, it's a real eye-opener for not only the middleweight division, but maybe a few other people on the MMA scene as well.
"I mean, I like being the underdog. I enjoy it, but I knew, eventually, people would realise I'm legitimate."
Isn't he what?
While US bookies had Whittaker the overwhelming underdog against Souza, a multiple jiu-jitsu world champion who hadn't been finished in almost nine years, the Sydney slugger dropped his rival in the second round with a clubbing right hand.
Then, after allowing the world No 3 to his feet - boom - the man with the Southern Cross tattooed on his chest landed a perfect head kick.
From there, Whittaker followed up with a series of strikes, dropping his rival to the mat again, where he finished things with a rapid flurry of fists and elbows.
Apart from world title discussions, the result also means the 26-year-old has now tied the win streak of several UFC greats, most notably Irish phenomenon Conor McGregor.
But as for what the number means to him?
"Absolutely nothing," Whittaker said. "Truly, I didn't even know the number was seven, until you just told me.
"Obviously, I'm in the fight game and racking up wins is important, but every time I'm out there fighting for my life ... that's just how I feel."
And as for how the former Kiwi planned to celebrate last night, given the win also earned him a $US50,000 performance bonus?
"Ah, I'm going to grab some grub with my wife, then go back to the hotel room and Skype with our kids," he laughed.
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